Margao: Politics in ward 22 is getting murkier by the day. With names like MMC Chairperson Arthur D’silva and Digambar’s Front line commando, Damu Shirodkar contesting in ward 22, the BJP fielding a rookie has highly upset several party men and shocked several other Madgaonkaars. Many are calling it a walkover for Arthur in ward 22. It has also been spoken that Arthur may very well use the fact that he helped Digambar in the Louis Berger case as a bargaining chip to ensure a win against Damu Shirodkar. Meanwhile, the BJP has also been criticised by people for rejecting the minority community representation – Dean D’souza in ward 19 who was a suggestion of Bhai Naik.
Ward 22 was spoken of as a huge battleground for all the major stake holders of Margao and after the lists were out, it kept its name. Arthur, who does not attach himself to any party, Damu Shirodkar a staunch Congressman and Kaustubh Kanekar who is a known youth but a rookie in politics are the names of the contenders. A section of the BJP is, however, startled by the selection made by the party. Some highly placed sources while speaking to Herald said that this is a walkover given to Arthur to the finals and it will only be a straight fight. “We were the ones criticising the deeds of the present MMC councillors and the actions of the party now are highly contradicting,” said the BJPian.
Adv Rajiv Gomes is a resident of the ward and when asked to react said, “The Madgaonkaars are intelligent enough to know that these councillors contesting in my ward have failed to do their duties and the result will be subsequently seen.”
When asked who he will support, he said, “Support to the present councillors is out of question and if BJP has a new face who is a hard worker, I will support him. The Kanekars are not new to Aquem and I will extend my support to Kaustubh.” On being asked why he did not get down and clean the mess, he said, “I have a huge responsibility as a lawyer and at this juncture I won’t be able to do justice to either of them if I contest to win.”
Bhai Naik, who is from ward 22 said that he is sad that his suggestion wasn’t considered for ward 19 but will go all out to support the decision of the party and will work for all the BJP candidates in wards attached to his area.
